Ribbentrop and German World Policy 1933–1940. Foreign Policy Conceptions and Decision-making Processes in the Third Reich

1981 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-99
Author(s):  
Milan Hauner ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 1091-1118
Author(s):  
Heath Spencer

In the German church elections of July 1933, prominent liberal Protestants in the state of Thuringia gave their support to the Deutsche Christen (German Christians), a pro-Nazi faction that sought to establish a uniquely “German” form of Christianity based on “blood” and “race.” At first glance, this development might suggest an affinity between liberal Protestant theology and völkisch (racist-populist) conceptions of Christianity. However, a closer examination of events leading up to this decision reveals that pragmatic and strategic considerations were at least as important as ideology. Although liberal Protestant leaders ultimately determined that cooperation with the Deutsche Christen was necessary, they did so reluctantly, and only after they were convinced that other options had been exhausted. This article examines church-political alignments in Thuringia during the Weimar and early Nazi eras, with an emphasis on the aims and priorities of the Volkskirchenbund (People's Church League), a liberal Protestant faction in the Thuringian regional synod. It traces the decision-making processes behind the events of 1933, the motives and perceptions of key players, and diverse responses of leaders as well as rank and file members. Their story illustrates one of the more complicated paths toward Christian complicity in the Third Reich.


Author(s):  
Eric Kurlander

This chapter evaluates the influence of the supernatural imaginary on the Third Reich's conception of foreign policy, investment in fanciful weaponry, and use of astrology, divination, clairvoyance, and telepathy in prosecuting the war. The Second World War was neither caused nor directed primarily by occult designs. However, many aspects of the war were influenced or determined by folklore, border science, and the broader Nazi supernatural imaginary. Rather than rely on a practical evaluation of risks and rewards, Hitler frequently tapped into his own intuition in making foreign-policy decisions and appealed to the German people's collective unconscious in selling his aggressive policies. Abetting Hitler's faith-based foreign policy, the Propaganda Ministry and Foreign Office employed professional astrologers and diviners to produce wartime propaganda aimed at both the Allies and the German public. Finally, the Third Reich utilized occultism and border science to gather military intelligence, search for enemy battleships, and train Nazi soldiers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 487-491
Author(s):  
Roman V. Zaitsev

The book of V.E. Molodiakov, a well-known Russian historian, is devoted to the life of the Third Reich Minister of Foreign Affairs Joachim von Ribbentrop (1893 – 1946). On the basis of the impressive strata of documents and literary sources the author reconstructs the biography of Ribbentrop, analyzes his diplomatic views and concepts, and describes in detail the Reich minister’s role in Germany’s internal and foreign policy in the 30s and 40s of the 20th century. There are several unique photos in the book, including those from the collection of V.E. Molodiakov.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document